Portable baling press

ABSTRACT

A portable press for baling a stripped automobile body is mounted on a flat bed trailer which includes both horizontal and vertical compacting means cooperating with a front and a side wall on the trailer during the baling operation. The vertical compacting means is movable between its vertically operative position and a horizontal travelling position and an operation/control unit is mounted to the trailer bed for movement between a working and a non-working position.

McCartney et al 214/512 O United States Patent [1 1 [111 3,765,323 Hix Oct. 16, 1973 [5 PORTABLE BALING PRESS 2,353,221 7/1944 Clifton et al 100/100 x [16] Inventor: Henry Hix, 3856 Boring 333331233 35132; iiifiiiifiiij:::.......::::::: 1385325 i2 Decatur, Ga. 30034 Filed: y 1970 Primary Examiner-Billy J. Wilhite [21] APPL No: 36,129 Attorney-Watson, Cole, Grindle & Watson [52] US. Cl 100/100, 100/42, 100/226, ABSTRACT 100/ 100,269 100/ 295 A portable press for baling a stripped automobile body hit. is mounted on a flat bed trailer includes both [58] Field of Search 100/100, 269, 232, horizontal and vertical compacting means cooperating 100, 214/512 with a front and a side wall on the trailer during the baling operation. The vertical compacting means is [56] Reterences cued movable between its vertically operative position and UNITED STATES PATENTS a horizontal travelling position and an operation/con- 3,404,622 10/1968 Flanagan... 100/100 trol unit is mounted to the trailer bed for movement 3,517,608 6/1970 Tezuka 100/100 between a working and a non-working position. 2,932,244 4/1960 Moyer lOO/232 X 7 3,220,585 11/1965 6 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures x M W MW W u; firm MW mad Mw/ SHEET 10F 3 PATENTEDBCI 161975 PAIENTEDBBT 15 I878 SHEET 2 BF 3 Mn/EA/mra,

ATTO/Z/ EYS PORTABLE BALING PRESS This application relates generally to a portable baler and, more particularly, to a flat-bed trailer mounted press which is capable ofcompacting a stripped automobile body into a bale having a volumewhich issubstantially less than the original volume of the body.

In the art of baling machines designed to compact a stripped automobile body into a convenient size and shape for remelting the reusable baled steel body, the need for providing a portable press has been recognized as a means for expeditiously and economically performing the task of baling sincethe portable apparatus may be readily transported directly to the junk yard for carrying out baling operations of those scrap metal dealers who may not be able to afford a large and expensive permanent baling installation, or who may be only occasionally in need of a baler. Although many of these portable baling devices may be suitable in compacting the auto bodies down to a desirable size and volume, elaborate pressing means is oftenrequired for effectively baling the scrap metal at the-temporary site.

Numerous hydraulic cylinders are normally critical for use in theseprior art devices in moving a series of pressure plates against the automobile body in a vertical and in two perpendicular horizontal directions. The cylinders and plates are often mounted to the bed of a trailer in such a manner that several plates are required to simultaneously compress the auto body in each direction at a distance from the body's center of mass. Use of such elaborate and expensive equipment is avoided by the present invention which makes use of a direct ram action located at the centerline of the mass to be compressed against stationary walls.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a portable baling press which is simple in its operation, economical in its manufacture and relies on the use of few moving parts in baling a stripped automobile body or other types of bulky goods.

Another object of this invention is to provide a portable baling press which requires the use of only two hydraulic rams for effecting a direct ramming action against the mass to be compressed, thereby eliminating the expensive and elaborate hydraulic systems heretofore required.

A further object of the instant design is to provide a portable baling press as characterized wherein the rams are mounted on a flat-bed trailer having a forward wall and a side wall thereby presenting three stationary surfaces including the trailer bed surface against which the rams compress the material thereby reducing the need for additional compressors and elaborate hydraulic systerns.

A still further object of this invention is to provide such a portable baling press having a horizontal ram and a vertical pivotally mounted ram. capable of being moved to a horizontal position during travel so as to comply with the standard road height for the baling machine.

A still further object of this invention is to provide such a portable baling press-wherein the rams are hydraulically actuated by an operation/control means mounted directly on the trailer which is thereby capable of operating independent of the hauling tractor.

A still further object of the present design is to provide a portable baling press wherein the operation/control means is mounted to an elongated tube on the trailer bed in a manner which permits it to be moved into and out of its working position during the baling operation thereby permitting the operator to clearly view the operation without obstruction.

Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the baling press according to the present invention mounted on a flatbed trailer;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view showing the manner of pivoting the vertical ram to a horizontal travelling position;

FIG. 3 is a top plan of the apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a view taken substantially along the line 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 are views showing the successive steps used in completely baling a stripped automobile body; and

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the baled product yielded after the complete baling operation has been carried out.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters refer to like and corresponding parts throughout the several views, there is shown the porta ble baling press 10 in FIG. 1 according to the present invention mounted on a flat-bed trailer 11 which, seen also in FIG. 3, is of a conventional shape supported by tandem wheels 12 at the rear end and connected with and supported by a tractor (no shown) in any wellknown manner. The trailer is constructed of a plurality of longitudinally extending steel channels 13 along either side (see FIG. 4) and intermediate steel beams 14 of sufficient strength and shape to sustain the loads during the baling operation. Suitable cross-bracing members 15 may be provided along with a deck 16 which may consist of one or several steel plates overlying the frame members 13, 14. The deck is provided with a second ply 17 in the area at which the baling operation is carried out for the purpose of lending additional rigidity and strength thereto. A front wall 18 is permanently secured to the trailer bed along the forward edge of the plate 17 and is suitable supported by plates 19. A sidewall 21 is also permanently secured to the trailer bed along one side edge of the plate 17 ane is supported by means of members 22, shown clearly in FIG. 3. The trailer is also provided with a number of conventional screw jacks 23 for supporting the underside of the trailer after it has been detached from the tractor. FIGS. 1 and 4 show such support jacks which are intended to be of any well-known construction.

Near the rear end of the trailer bed, a horizontal compacting means is permanently mounted by means of suitably provided gusset plates and includes a piston rod 24 hydraulically movable into and out of a cylinder 25. A pressure plate 26 is secured to the free end of the piston rod 24 and, for purposes of stability, small caster rollers 27 are provided to permit the plate 26 to smoothly roll over the deck 17 thereby avoiding undue wear of the deck as the plate 26 passes thereover.

.Also provided is a vertically arranged compacting means which includes a piston rod 2% hydraulically movable into and out of a cylinder 29 mounted at one end of an elevated structure 31 constituted by cantilevered beams 32 each mounted to an upstanding support 33 and stabilized by a pair of plates 34. The cylinder 29 is pivotally mounted at its forward end by a collar 48 to each of the plates 34 by means of suitably provided pins as in FIG. 4. The vertical piston rod 28 is therefore made to extend through an aperture suitably provided in gusset plate 35. A pressure plate 36 is releasably secured to one end of the vertical piston rod 28 by means of a dowel pin 37, clearly seen in FIG. 1 of the drawings. The baling apparatus is shown in FIG. 1 in its condition immediately preceding the baling operation so that as soon as a forklift truck or other means places a stripped automobile body onto the deck 17, the vertical and horizontal rams will be actuated, in a manner to be hereinafter described, for compressing the article to be baled into a predetermined size and volume.

When the portable baling press is hooked onto the tractor (not shown) for moving it from location to location, the height of the vertical ram cylinder is likely to exceed the maximum road height prescribed for travelling tractor-trailer vehicles. Accordingly, cylinder 29 is designed to be pivoted toward the forward direction of travel to a horizontal position, as shown in phantom in FIG. 1. As shown more clearly in FIGS. 2 and 4, the cylinder 29 is pivotally connected at one end through its collar 48 to the piston 38 of an auxiliary hydraulic cylinder 39 mounted at one end to the side of one of the plates 34. The cylinder 29 is interconnected to the collar 48 through a lever arm 41 which is simply moved in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 2 when the piston rod 38 of the auxiliary cylinder is extended to its position shown in phantom. The ram cylinder 29 is thereby pivoted to its horizontal position after the dowel pin 37 has been removed and the pressure plate 36 has been lowered onto the bed of the trailer. When it becomes necessary to raise the cylinder 29, piston rod 38 is merely retracted for pivotally moving lever arm 41 to its vertical position as shown in FIG. 2 until the cylinder 29 comes in contact with an angle bar 49 mounted transversely across the tops of plates 34. Piston rod 38 is thereafter maintained in its retracted position during the entire baling operation.

In FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, it can be seen that an operation and control unit 42 is mounted on one end of a swingable hollow tube 43 pivoted as at 51 to the frame of the trailer and movable from a position substantially parallel to the length of the trailer to a position as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Movement of the bar 43 between its non-working and its working position can be therefore carried out simply by hand. The unit 42 is provided with a seat 44 for the operator and a control lever 46 associated with each of three hydraulic lines (not shown) located in hollow tube 43 and each hydraulically interconnected with vertical ram 29, horizontal ram 25 and auxiliary cylinder 39, respectively. The operator in seat 44 may therefore conveniently regulate the hydraulic fluid necessary to extend and retract respective piston rods 28, 24, 38. When the operation and control unit is in its position as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the operator has a clear and unobstructed view of the article to be baled and of the equipment during the baling operation.

While the trailer is being hauled by its tractor the vertical ram cylinder 29 will have been moved to its horizontal position (shown in phantom) after pressure plate 36 has been removed and allowed to rest on the deck 17. After reaching the site intended for baling, the flatbed trailer 1 1 may remain attached to its tractor or may be detached from the tractor after all lines and hoses leading thereto from the trailer have been disconnected. A level terrain should be sought for the proper set-up of the trailer unit whereupon the screw jacks 23 may be lowered on each side of the apparatus until the bed of the press is completely level. The support tube 43 may then be moved away from the trailer as shown in FIG. 3 and locked in position by any suitable means. The seat 44 and the control operation unit 42 are then mounted into suitably provided pipe sockets on the tube 43 and connected to the three hydraulic lines for actuating the vertical and horizontal rams and the auxiliary cylinder. Suitable pumps located within the box 45 shown in FIG. 1 are actuated for the hydraulic fluid whereafter a pressure gauge conveniently provided on the control unit is thereafter checked to insure that the minimum pressure in the hydraulic lines is obtained. The appropriate control lever 46 on the unit 42 is then manipulated to release sufficient hydraulic pressure in auxiliary cylinder 39 so as to retract its piston rod 38 and thereby pivot the vertical ram cylinder from its horizontal to a vertical position until it lies fully in contact against angle bar 46. The vertical piston rod 28 is then hydraulically extended, by manipulating the appropriate control lever 46, toward the trailer deck and into the open collar 52 provided in the pressure plate 36 which has been resting directly on the deck 17 during travel of the portable press. The dowel pin 37 is then properly inserted so as to mount the pressure plate 36 onto the free end of the vertical rod 28 which may then be retracted to its position shown in FIGS. 1 and 5 whereafter vehicle body A completely stripped down to its shell is placed onto deck 17 by a fork-lift pick-up truck or by any other suitable means. The vertical ram is hydraulically actuated so as to compress the vehicle in a vertical direction to approximately three feet in height against the deck 17. As seen from the drawings, the approximate center of mass for the vehicle A is placed substantially in vertical alignment with the ram cylinder 29 so that the pressure plate 36, which approximates the overall dimension of the deck 17, may evenly compress the vehicle A. While holding the vertical ram to a constant pressure, horizontal ram cylinder 25 is hydraulically actuated so that its piston rod 24 is extended to move its pressure plate 26 against the end of the vehicle body as shown in FIG. 7 to compress it to approximately a five-foot length. At this point, the top, bottom, two ends, and one side of vehicle A will have been completely compressed, it being noted that compaction of the one side is effected a the ends are compressed during the constant hold-down pressure by the pressure plate 36, the piston rods of both the vertical and horizontal rams are then retracted so as to permit the forklift truck to turn the partially compressed vehicle through (as shown by the arrow in FIG. 8) about its longitudinal axis whereupon the partially compressed mass A is placed in the position of FIG. 8. The horizontal ram is then actuated and its piston rod extended until holding pressure is applied on the partially compressed mass A between the forward wall 18 and between its pressure plate 26. The vertical ram is then actuated as seen in FIG. 9 to compress the mass to a 3-foot height so that the completely compressed mass of auto A will yield a 33X3 5 bale of a configuration shown in FIG. 10 wherein D and D are the threefoot dimensions and D is the five-foot dimension of the bale. If a different overall dimension is intended or if this dimension is not obtainable with the first outlined sequence of operations, one or more steps of the operation may be repeated. After the baling operation of each vehicle is completed, the vertical ram piston rod is extended until pressure plate 36 is made to lie on deck 17 whereafter dowel pin 37 is removed, plate is allowed to remain on the deck, and rod 28 is fully retracted upwardly above gusset plate 35. Rod 38 of the auxiliary cylinder is then extended to move the vertical ram cylinder to its horizontal position and the control operation unit 42 is swung to its non-working position substantially parallel to the trailer which may then be hitched to its tractor and again transported after all the necessary lines and hoses are interconnected with the tractor. I

From the foregoing, it can be seen that a portable baling press has been described which is completely mobile, and at the discretion of the user, may be made stationary simply by removing the rear tandem wheels 12. The baling press, in accordance with this design, offers a highly effective and economical technique for baling vehicles or other masses of material operating independently of outside sources of power as a completely portable unit. The baling press is capable of compressing vehicles, which have been otherwise lying worthlessly in salvage yards, to dimensions prescribed by the metal foundries. The present baler is safe during its operation and, in the event of a fire break-out from gasoline entrained in the automobile tank, the fire could be easily extinguished at a safe distance from the open side of the apparatus. Also, the direct ram action of the cylinders used to compress the vehicles avoids the need for costly hydraulic systems, linkages and numerous pressure plates and serves to reduce the time involved in completing the baling operation. Furthermore, the pivoting of the vertical ram cylinder to a horizontal position permits a standard road height of the present apparatus to be maintained during its movement from location to location. The swing-out work station for the operator permits him to have a full view of the machine during its operation and the selfcontained feature of the present baler free of any outside power source and the few moving parts required for the present invention render it highly economical. Also, it should be noted that holes as at 47 may be provided in the horizontal pressure plate 26 near its lower edge for the reception of hooks at one end. Accordingly, the frame of the vehicle to be baled may be easily detached before baling by simplymoving plate 26 toward the vehicle, placing the other end of these hooks onto the vehicle frame, lowering pressure plate 36 into hold-down contact wwith the vehicle top. The pressure plate 36 therefore retains the auto body against movement during retraction of the horizontal ram which thereby detaches the frame from the vehicle body.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

What is claimed is:

l. A portable press for baling a stripped automobile body comprising, a flatbed trailer having a top surface and capable of being releasably mounted at its forward end to a movable tractor, a forward vertical wall secured to said top surface of said trailer near its forward end, and a side vertical wall secured to said top surface near one side thereof, horizontal compacting means on said trailer horizontally movable toward and away from said forward wall, an elevated structure extending rearwardly from said trailer forward end, and vertical compacting means mounted at the free rearward end of said structure and being vertically movable toward and away from said trailer top surface, each said vertical and horizontal compacting means including a hydraulic ram, each said ram including a ram cylinder and a piston rod hydraulically movable into and out of each said cylinder, a pressure plate mounted at the forward end of each said piston rod, and said vertical ram pressure plate being disposed parallel to said trailer top surface and being releasably mounted to said vertical ram piston rod, whereby the stripped automobile body to be placed on said trailer directly below said vertical compacting means may be compacted in a lengthwise, vertical and sidewise direction between said side vertical wall, said forward wall and said horizontal compacting means, and between said top surface and said vertical compacting means, respectively, as said vertical and said horizontal compacting means compresses the stripped automobile body against said trailer top surface and against said forward vertical wall and said vertical ram being pivotally mounted to move from a vertical operative position to a horizontal storage position so as to lie within the top of said elevated structure during travel of the press, and means being provided for releasing said vertical ram pressure plate from said vertical ram piston rod forward end.

2. The portable press according to claim 1 wherein a hydraulically actuated auxiliary cylinder operatively mounted between said vertical cylinder and said elevated structure is provided for moving said vertical ram to its horizontal position.

3. The portable press according to claim 2 further characterized by an operation/control unit pivotally secured to said trailer forward end to move between a working and a non-working position wherein said unit includes an operators seat and a plurality of directional control levers for operating said vertical and horizontal compacting means and said auxiliary cylinder, a hollow tube, said seat and said levers being secured to one end of said hollow tube, and said tube being pivoted at its other end for movement toward and away from said trailer respectively between its non-working and its working positions.

4. The portable press according to claim 2 further characterized by an operation/control unit pivotally secured to said trailer forward end to move between a working and a non-working position.

5. A portable press for baling a stripped automobile body comprising, a flat bed trailer having a top surface and capable of being releaseably mounted at its forward end to a movable tractor, a forward vertical wall secured to said top surface of said trailer near its for ward end and a side vertical wall secured to said top surface near one side thereof, an upstanding wall means disposed near the rear end of said trailer top surface at a distance from and parallel to said forward vertical wall, an elevated structure extending rearwardly from said trailer forward end and vertical compacting means mounted at the free rearward end of said structure and being vertically movable toward and away from said trailer top surface, saie compacting means including a vertically disposed hydraulic ram, said ram including a ram cylinder and a piston rod hydraulically movable into and out of said cylinder, a pressure plate mounted at the forward end of said rod, and said plate being disposed parallel to said trailer to surface and being releaseably mounted to said rod, whereby the stripped automobile body to be placed on said trailer directly below said compacting means may be compacted in a lengthwise, vertical and sidewise direction between said side vertical wall, said upstanding wall means and said forward wall, and between said top surface and said compacting means, respectively, as said vertical compacting means compresses th stripped automobile body against said trailer top surface, and said ram being pivotally mounted to move from a vertical operative position to a horizontal storage position so as to lie within the top of said elevated structure during travel of the press, and means being provided for releasing said plate from said rod forward end.

6. A portable press for baling a stripped automobile body comprising a flatbed trailer having a top surface and capable of being releasably mounted at its forward end to a movable tractor, a forward vertical wall secured to the said top surface of said trailer near its forward end and a vertical wall secured to said top surface near one side thereof, horizontal compacting means on said trailer horizontally movable toward and away from said forward wall, and vertical compacting means on said trailer vertically movable toward and away from said trailer top surface, said vertical compacting means including a vertically disposed hydraulic ram, whereby the stripped automobile body to be placed on said trailer directly below said vertical compacting means may be compacted in a lengthwise, vertical and sidewise direction between said side vertical wall, said forward wall and said horizontal compacting means, and between said top surface and said vertical compacting means, respectively, as said vertical and said horizontal compacting means compresses the stripped automobile body against said trailer top surface and against said forward vertical wall, and an operation/control unit being pivotally secured to said trailer forward end to move between a working and a non-working position, said unit including an operators seat and a plurality of directional levers for operating said vertical and horizontal compacting means, a hollow tube, said seat and said levers being secured to one end of said hollow tube, and said tube being pivoted at its other end for movement toward and away from said trailer, respectively, between its non-working and its working positions.

l t l i 

1. A portable press for baling a stripped automobile body comprising, a flatbed trailer having a top surface and capable of being releasably mounted at its forward end to a movable tractor, a forward vertical wall secured to said top surface of said trailer near its forward end, and a side vertical wall secured to said top surface near one side thereof, horizontal compacting means on said trailer horizontally movable toward and away from said forward wall, an elevated structure extending rearwardly from said trailer forward end, and vertical compacting means mounted at the free rearward end of said structure and being vertically movable toward and away from said trailer top surface, each said vertical and horizontal compacting means including a hydraulic ram, each said ram including a ram cylinder and a piston rod hydraulically movable into and out of each said cylinder, a pressure plate mounted at the forward end of each said piston rod, and said vertical ram pressure plate being disposed parallel to said trailer top surface and being releasably mounted to said vertical ram piston rod, whereby the stripped automobile body to be placed on said trailer directly below said vertical compacting means may be compacted in a lengthwise, vertical and sidewise direction between said side vertical wall, said forward wall and said horizontal compacting means, and between said top surface and said vertical compacting means, respectively, as said vertical and said horizontal compacting means compresses the stripped automobile body against said trailer top surface and against said forward vertical wall, and said vertical ram being pivotally mounted to move from a vertical operative position to a horizontal storage position so as to lie within the top of said elevated structure during travel of the press, and means being provided for releasing said vertical ram pressure plate from said vertical ram piston rod forward end.
 2. The portable press according to claim 1 wherein a hydraulically actuated auxiliary cylinder operatively mounted between said vertical cylinder and said elevated structure is provided for moving said vertical ram to its horizontal position.
 3. The portable press according to claim 2 further characterized by an operation/control unit pivotally secured to said trailer forward end to move between a working and a non-working position wherein said unit includes an operator''s seat and a plurality of directional control levers for operating said vertical and horizontal compacting means and said auxiliary cylinder, a hollow tube, said seat and said levers being secured to one end of said hollow tube, and said tube being pivoted at its other end for movement toward and away from said trailer respectively between its non-working and its working positions.
 4. The portable press according to claim 2 further characterized by an operation/control unit pivotally secured to said trailer forward end to move between a working and a non-working position.
 5. A portable press for baling a stripped automobile body comprising, a flat bed trailer having a top surface and capable of being releaseably mounted at its forward end to a movable tractor, a forward vertical wall secured to said top surface of said trailer near its forward end and a side vertical wall secured to said top surface near one side thereof, an upstanding wall means disposed near the rear end of said trailer top surface at a distance from and parallel to said forward vertical wall, an elevated structure extending rearwardly from said trailer forward end and vertical compacting means mounted at the free rearward end of said structure and being vertically movable toward and away from said trailer top surface, saie compacting means including a vertically disposed hydraulic ram, said ram including a ram cylinder and a piston rod hydraulically movable into and out of said cylinder, a pressure plate mounted at the forward end of said rod, and said plate being disposed parallel to said trailer top surface and being releaseably mounted to said rod, whereby the stripped automobile body to be placed on said trailer directly below said compacting means may be compacted in a lengthwise, vertical and sidewise direction between said side vertical wall, said upstanding wall means and said forward wall, and between said top surface and said compacting means, respectively, as said vertical compacting means compresses the stripped automobile body against said trailer top surface, and said ram being pivotally mounted to move from a vertical operative position to a horizontal storage position so as to lie within the top of said elevated structure during travel of the press, and means being provided for releasing said plate from said rod forward end.
 6. A portable press for baling a stripped automobile body comprising a flatbed trailer having a top surface and capable of being releasably mounted at its forward end to a movable tractor, a forward vertical wall secured to the said top surface of said trailer near its forward end and a vertical wall secured to said top surface near one side thereof, horizontal compacting means on said trailer horizontally movable toward and away from said forward wall, and vertical compacting means on said trailer vertically movable toward and away from said trailer top surface, said vertical compacting means including a vertically disposed hydraulic ram, whereby the stripped automobile body to be placed on said trailer directly below said vertical compacting means may be compacted in a lengthwise, vertical and sidewise direction between said side verticaL wall, said forward wall and said horizontal compacting means, and between said top surface and said vertical compacting means, respectively, as said vertical and said horizontal compacting means compresses the stripped automobile body against said trailer top surface and against said forward vertical wall, and an operation/control unit being pivotally secured to said trailer forward end to move between a working and a non-working position, said unit including an operator''s seat and a plurality of directional levers for operating said vertical and horizontal compacting means, a hollow tube, said seat and said levers being secured to one end of said hollow tube, and said tube being pivoted at its other end for movement toward and away from said trailer, respectively, between its non-working and its working positions. 